MTN South Africa has announced the achievement of a
remarkable 98% network availability in the Free State and Northern Cape regions
as part of their ongoing network modernization drive to deliver improved
connectivity.
With resilience as a core principle, MTN South Africa's
modernized network has powered through challenges, reaching a pivotal point
where over 50% of sites have been upgraded. This upgrade has resulted in an
impressive improvement in throughput, now standing at 14.09 Mbps, and a
substantial reduction in drop call rates to a mere 0.2%.
One of the notable outcomes of this modernization effort is
the extension of 4G coverage to rural areas, including Oppermansgronde, a
southern Free State town. This move has made a significant impact on
connectivity, especially during load shedding, providing residents with
enhanced access to crucial services.
Machawe Victor Dlamini, Acting Regional General Manager for
the Central Region, highlighted the company's commitment to addressing
connectivity gaps in areas that are not yet covered by mobile broadband
networks.
“While mobile has been driving
digital inclusion, there remain connectivity gaps in areas not yet covered by
mobile broadband networks. These uncovered communities predominantly rural, poor
and sparsely populated are a key focus for us. We have extended 4G population
coverage across Northern Cape and Free State to 96% and 99% respectively,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2024, MTN South Africa aims to upgrade all
sites to LTE, further enhancing network capabilities, and expanding its reach to underserved
communities.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
